15 March 2024 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE 1. Bhutan’s opening move, its Gelephu gambit 2. What are the causes of the flare-up in eastern Congo? F. Prelims Facts 1. Panel recommends simultaneous polls 2. Wholesale food inflation sped up in Feb. on onion, tomato 3. Why govts. are seeing red on Rhodamine B in street food G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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A. GS 2 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Bhutan’s opening move, its Gelephu gambit
Syllabus: GS-2, India and its Neighbourhood – Relations
Mains: India-Bhutan relations
Prelims: Gelephu on Map
Introduction: Bhutan’s Gelephu Gambit
- Strategic Move amidst Global Connectivity: Bhutan, under Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s leadership, is spearheading the development of a regional economic hub in Gelephu, a town bordering Assam in India. This initiative, endorsed by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in December 2023, aims to establish a “Gelephu Mindfulness City” (GMC) over 1,000 square kilometres.
- Unique Vision for Sustainable Growth: Gelephu Mindfulness City distinguishes itself from conventional financial hubs by prioritizing sustainable, non-polluting industries such as IT, education, hospitality, and healthcare. Emphasising a carbon-neutral approach, the city aims to attract investments while promoting health and wellness.
Challenges and Opportunities:
- Geographical and Environmental Hurdles: Gelephu’s flat terrain contrasts with Bhutan’s mountainous landscape, presenting challenges such as seasonal flooding and wildlife conservation concerns. Moreover, its proximity to insurgency-prone regions demands careful security considerations.
- Dependency on India: As a landlocked nation, Bhutan relies on India for crucial infrastructure and trade routes. Gelephu’s success hinges on India’s support for enhancing transportation links and bolstering trade cooperation.
Motivations for Bhutan
- Economic Imperatives: Bhutan seeks to diversify its economy beyond hydropower and niche tourism. Gelephu’s development is seen as crucial for generating employment, retaining youth talent, and enhancing revenue streams.
- Geopolitical Strategy: Amidst pressure from China to resolve border disputes, Bhutan aims to balance its international relations by engaging with India while pursuing negotiations with Beijing. Gelephu offers a controlled avenue for Bhutan to expand its global presence.
India’s Response and Stakes:
- Ensuring Regional Influence: India views Bhutan’s alignment with China cautiously and recognizes the importance of bolstering bilateral ties. Gelephu’s development aligns with India’s broader connectivity plans, reinforcing its regional influence and countering external pressures.
- Investment and Connectivity: Gelephu’s infrastructure needs dovetail with India’s initiatives for regional connectivity, including railway networks, road improvements, and energy projects. Collaboration with Bhutan in areas like renewable energy and cross-border trade enhances India’s strategic interests.
Prime Ministerial Visits and Implications:
- Bilateral Engagement: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Bhutan symbolizes the deepening ties between the two nations. This exchange of visits underscores the significance of bilateral cooperation and reaffirms India’s commitment to supporting Bhutan’s development initiatives.
- Strategic Timing: The timing of PM Modi’s visit amidst discussions on Gelephu’s development underscores India’s active involvement in shaping the region’s economic landscape. It also highlights the diplomatic synergy between the two nations in navigating geopolitical challenges.
Conclusion: Despite immediate hurdles, Gelephu represents a transformative opportunity for both Bhutan and the region. By fostering sustainable growth and strengthening bilateral ties, the project could redefine regional dynamics and foster greater cooperation amidst global uncertainties.
Know more about India – Bhutan relations in the linked article.
Nut Graf: Bhutan’s ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City project, supported by India, seeks to redefine regional development with sustainable industries. Prime Minister Modi’s forthcoming visit underscores bilateral ties and strategic cooperation amid geopolitical challenges.
2. What are the causes of the flare-up in eastern Congo?
Syllabus: GS-2, India and its Neighbourhood – Relations, Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: Conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo: Reasons, Impact and Solution
Prelims: Map work of countries surrounding the Democratic Republic of Congo
Context: Renewed clashes in eastern Congo escalate, with accusations of Rwandan support to M23 rebels exacerbating humanitarian crisis concerns.
Causes of the Flare-Up in Eastern Congo:
- Historical Context: The conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has roots in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, which led to the mass displacement of refugees into eastern DRC.
- Civil Wars and Ethnic Tensions: Two civil wars ensued, with ethnic tensions escalating between Tutsi militias and local Congolese, exacerbated by the presence of Rwandan refugees and troops.
- Formation of Rebel Groups: Rebel groups such as the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL) and later the March 23 Movement (M23) emerged, fueled by grievances over ethnic representation and political integration.
Underlying Reasons for Renewed Clashes:
- M23 Resurgence: The M23, formed in 2012, claims to protect Tutsi interests but broke away from the Congolese army due to perceived failures in integration. Recent clashes stem from M23 accusations of attacks by Hutu militias and dissatisfaction with government actions.
- Allegations of External Support: The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, further escalating tensions. Rwanda denies these claims, attributing the conflict to Congo’s decision to repatriate regional peacekeepers.
- Humanitarian Crisis Worsening: The recent escalation in violence has intensified the humanitarian crisis, leading to deaths, displacements, and food security risks. Attacks on civilian settlements have forced health and aid workers to withdraw, exacerbating the situation.
International Concerns and Regional Implications:
- Global Calls for Restraint: The United States, United Nations, and several Western countries have urged both DRC and Rwanda to avoid war, calling for de-escalation and withdrawal of support to rebel groups.
- Risk of Regional Escalation: The conflict raises concerns about regional tensions and the involvement of more countries, potentially destabilizing the region further.
- Humanitarian Attention Amid Global Crises: Despite the severity of the situation, there are concerns that the conflict in eastern Congo may be overshadowed by other global crises, such as the war in Gaza and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, risking inadequate attention and support for affected populations.
Nut Graf: Renewed clashes in eastern Congo, fueled by historical ethnic tensions and allegations of external support to rebel groups, exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, raising global concerns over regional stability.
F. Prelims Facts
1. Panel recommends simultaneous polls
Panel recommends simultaneous polls
Context: A high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind has proposed a phased approach to implement simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, municipal bodies, and panchayats.
About:
- The 22nd Law Commission is also studying the issue; the Kovind panel suggests synchronizing elections from the 2029 cycle.
- It recommends setting an ‘Appointed Date’ after each general election for the commencement of a new electoral cycle. State Assemblies formed post this date would conclude before the next general elections, enabling simultaneous polls.
- To achieve this, amendments to Articles 83 and 172 of the Constitution are proposed, along with changes to Article 324A for local body elections.
- The committee submitted its extensive report, spanning over 18,000 pages, to President Droupadi Murmu, but a condensed version of 321 pages was made public.
Significance: While the committee emphasizes the need to alleviate the burden on various stakeholders, it also stresses the constitutional integrity of its recommendations.
2. Wholesale food inflation sped up in Feb. on onion, tomato
Context: India’s industrial output growth moderated to 3.8% in January, compared to a revised increase of 4.24% in December, signalling a slowdown in the manufacturing sector, which grew by 3.2% from 4.5% previously.
About:
- This deceleration was accompanied by a contraction in consumer non-durables for the second time in three months.
- While mining and electricity generation showed improvement at 5.9% and 5.6% respectively, consumer durables production surged by 10.9%, driven partly by favourable base effects.
- Consumer non-durables output witnessed a decline of 0.3%.
- Capital goods production expanded by 4.1% in January, and intermediate goods also posted faster growth at 4.8%. However, the growth rates for primary goods and infrastructure/construction goods slightly eased to 2.9% and 4.6% respectively.
Significance: Despite overall growth, certain segments like electronics and optic products recorded contractions, reflecting the mixed performance of India’s industrial sector and highlighting ongoing challenges in specific industries.
3. Why govts. are seeing red on Rhodamine B in street food
Context: Tamil Nadu recently prohibited the sale of cotton candy or candy floss due to the detection of Rhodamine-B, an industrial dye, in samples collected from Chennai stalls.
About:
- Following suit, Karnataka banned harmful colouring agents in cotton candy and “Gobi Manchurian,” while Andhra Pradesh initiated sample analysis.
- Rhodamine-B, typically used in textiles, poses significant health risks when consumed. Meenakshi Bajaj, a dietician at Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, highlighted its presence in various foods, including sweets, manchurian items, and sauces for Chinese cuisine.
- Doctors have emphasized the long-standing health concerns associated with Rhodamine-B, including allergies and potential carcinogenic effects.
Significance: While FSSAI has approved certain food colours and flavours, the presence of Rhodamine-B highlights the need for strict regulations to safeguard public health.
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding elections in India?
- The Election Commission of India is responsible for the conduct of Lok Sabha, State Legislature elections and Panchayat elections.
- The term of the Lok Sabha is fixed at five years from the date of its first meeting, while the term of a State Legislature is determined by the respective state’s Governor.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Q2. Which of the following statements regarding the amendment process of the Indian Constitution are correct?
- The procedure for amending the Constitution is laid down in Article 368.
- A Constitutional Amendment Bill can be introduced only in Lok Sabha.
- Amendments related to the federal structure of the Constitution require a special majority and ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.
Which of the above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Q3. Which of the following statements regarding TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is/are correct?
- TRAFFIC is an intergovernmental organization under the United Nations.
- TRAFFIC primarily focuses on monitoring and combating illegal trade in wildlife and plants.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: TRAFFIC is a joint initiative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Forest Rights Act 2006:
- Statement 1: The Forest Rights Act grants legal recognition to both individual forest dwellers and communities for the occupation and usage of forest land they have been traditionally occupying and using.
- Statement 2: The Forest Rights Act empowers the Gram Sabha to initiate the process of recognition and vesting of forest rights in forest-dwelling communities.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Q5. With reference to India, consider the following statements:
- There is only one citizenship and one domicile.
- A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State.
- A foreigner once granted citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Only 1
- Only 2
- 1 and 3
- 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Click on the link for the video explanation of the above questions and answers.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the strategic significance of India-Bhutan relations in the context of regional security dynamics, particularly with reference to China’s growing influence in South Asia. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, International Relations]
- Examine the implications of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for global peace and security, with a special emphasis on India’s role in UN peacekeeping missions. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, International Relations]
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